After the first T20I between India and South Africa was abandoned due to rain, thankfully the second match was possible at Mohali. A full 40-over T20I saw the visitors and hosts staging a thrilling encounter for the audience that was decided in the 19th over. Here is the complete story of India Vs South Africa 2 T20I.
India Vs South Africa 2 T20I Highlights – How it happened
Chahar show
Virat Kohli won the toss and decided to bowl first. There was a time when India used to depend absolutely on the batting squad. The time has changed. The skipper now has the privilege to choose whatever he feels like depending on the pitch, weather, and situation. This is a win for Indian cricket on its own. Deepak Chahar utilized the opportunity well and was quick to send back Reeza Hendricks at the initial stage of the match. South Africa were 31/1 when Temba Bavuma joined the skipper Quinton de Kock. Then it was all about the due who built the innings and helped to take the score to 149/5. Deepak Chahar starred for his side as he finished with 2/22 with Navdeep Saini, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja scalping one each.
Quinton de Kock heroics
It was all about Quinton de Kock in the first half, though. The visiting captain looked determined and punished the Indian bowlers with shots all over the ground. Despite the early loss of Reeza Hendricks’, he did not stop and along with Bavuma kept rocking the show. In the powerplay, 39 runs were scored and majorly because of de Kock. Quinton de Kock hit eight boundaries to score 52 off 37 balls before signing off in the 12th over and the credit goes to Indian captain who pulled off a blinder to get rid of him. Rassie van der Dussen followed the captain immediately in the next over. But Bavuma by then broke free and took the responsibility on his shoulder. He eventually went on to score 43-ball 49. Even though he missed his half-century, he stayed till the 18th over and took the score to 126/4. He did struggle a bit at the end which is why he failed to make the half-century but his contribution eventually helped the team. Some quick runs by David Miller (18) and Dwaine Pretorius at the end helped South Africa put up a target of 150 for the Indians.
Indian batting- the openers & Pant
In reply, the Indians got off to an aggressive start and were quick to add 30 in the first three overs. The openers were in good touch Shikhar Dhawan after seven poor white-ball innings across formats showed signs of coming back to form. Kagiso Rabada’s delivery was sent to the boundary by him. But his partner was more aggressive and severe on Anrich Nortje. The latter kept delivering short-balls and the hitman smashed them all around the ground. Rohit was soon to go for LBW by Andile Phehlukwayo for just 12 runs but gave the momentum Indians needed to chase down the target.
Shikhar Dhawan was joined by the skipper Virat Kohli after Rohit’s dismissal. After adding 40 off 31 runs Dhawan was sent back by Tabraiz Shamsi when David Miller took a stunning one-sided catch. India was on 94/2 in the 12th and there was no sign of worry as such with the most important player in the middle and the strong middle order to follow. But Rishabh Pant failed yet again. He was pouched by Shamsi for just four runs and soon to go in the 14th over. A couple of days back the Head Coach hinted about sending a message to Pant about his shot selection. Now it looks like this series will be a tough test for the young batsman with the management’s eyes on him.
Kohli, one more time
Luckily Indians had their most dependable player who was joined by Shreyas Iyer. Kohli completed his half-century in 40 balls and never lost his focus. His intention was clear. He was determined to win the match on his own. Iyer followed the skipper and did his bit of adding unbeaten 16 runs off 14 balls. It was all about Kohli once again who eventually scored an unbeaten 72 and gave his team lead in the T20I series against South Africa. With the innings Kohli also became India’s leading run-scorer in T20Is, going past Rohit.
